I'm looking to buy an avalanche airbag and was wondering what some of the comparisons were between the brands: BCA, ABS, and the snowpulse. I'm leaning towards the BCA Float 30 as of now but am interested in the input of users. Any advice or comparisons would be helpful.
Avy Airbags
- Thread starter Merlin91
- Start date
I
insomniac62
Well-known member
Air Bags
Try them on!
I was always told to make sure they fit properly. If your backpack is uncomfortable, you will be more likely to not wear it...
BCA uses compressed air, easy to fill @ a scuba shop, paintball shop etc.
I believe these come with a couple spare 0-rings...
ABS uses nitrogen, and there is a charge in the handle.
These are more expensive to fill as they puncture the canister, and the trigger needs to be replaced as well. These need to be sent in to ABS to refill so (correct me if I'm wrong) no matter if you buy a replacement canister at an ABS dealer or personally send yours in, you foot the bill for the hazmat shipping.
All in all these are roughly 100 bucks to refill when said and done...
I personally went with the ABS Vario Bag. Fits me really well!
My friend went with the BCA Float 30, he preferred the fit of it!
May not be the info you are looking for but just my .02.
Hope you find the bag that is right for you!
Try them on!
I was always told to make sure they fit properly. If your backpack is uncomfortable, you will be more likely to not wear it...
BCA uses compressed air, easy to fill @ a scuba shop, paintball shop etc.
I believe these come with a couple spare 0-rings...
ABS uses nitrogen, and there is a charge in the handle.
These are more expensive to fill as they puncture the canister, and the trigger needs to be replaced as well. These need to be sent in to ABS to refill so (correct me if I'm wrong) no matter if you buy a replacement canister at an ABS dealer or personally send yours in, you foot the bill for the hazmat shipping.
All in all these are roughly 100 bucks to refill when said and done...
I personally went with the ABS Vario Bag. Fits me really well!
My friend went with the BCA Float 30, he preferred the fit of it!
May not be the info you are looking for but just my .02.
Hope you find the bag that is right for you!
For sure try them on! I went with the BCA Float 30 because it fit well and had enough room for all my "stuff" i carry in it. The float 18 was just too small for my liking. The BCA packs do fill with compressed air which is VERY convenient. I have a dive shop just minutes away that fills them for $4, so you cant beat that price. This allows you to be able to fill and discharge the pack a few times to get the "feel" of what to expect should you need to pull the cord in a real avy situation.
On the Float 30, there was a handle "upgrade" in the new 2012 pack, and i think it is worth the extra money. The new handle is sort of "mushroom" shaped and is very easy to get your gloved hand on. I was also told it pulls easier than the previous models. I did not compare them myself though. I also found a great place to purchase these after much research. If you decide to go this route, shoot me a PM and i will let you know this info.
Cheers
On the Float 30, there was a handle "upgrade" in the new 2012 pack, and i think it is worth the extra money. The new handle is sort of "mushroom" shaped and is very easy to get your gloved hand on. I was also told it pulls easier than the previous models. I did not compare them myself though. I also found a great place to purchase these after much research. If you decide to go this route, shoot me a PM and i will let you know this info.
Cheers
I too was on the fence about what pack to purchase. After watching this video I have now made up my mind, snowpulse. I still have to try one on like everybody has suggested to see how it fits but I like the way the bag protects.
http://www.snowestonline.com/forum/showthread.php?t=287935
http://www.snowestonline.com/forum/showthread.php?t=287935
These guys do a good review of all the airbags:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=GA5IrD6d5yY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=GA5IrD6d5yY
